Internationalizing your resume
As any traveler knows, part of the cross-cultural experience is putting your foot in your mouth, but save that for your internship experience. When you are applying, consider the following tips to ensure your resume won't be misunderstood.
- Explain in short notes what certain organizations, awards, acronyms, etc. stand for. “Dean’s List” is not a universal phrase. Also, if you put in your GPA, explain that it means grade point average and reference the scale (eg. 3.2 on a 4.0 scale).
- Spell out states and other common U.S. abbreviations that are not self-evident abroad.
- Be aware of cultural differences! Language that is considered "good marketing" in the US may come across as unabashed arrogance somewhere else. Know your audience!
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Read a sample international resume here. Intl_Resume1.pdf